Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1886-2005 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
64.35 Cubic Feet
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Harley J. Stucky was born July 26, 1920, in rural McPherson County, the son of Julius and Olga Krehbiel Stucky. He graduated from Moundridge High School in 1937 and Bethel College in 1941 before attending Garrett Evangelical Seminary and receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1944 and receiving his PhD in political science from Northwestern University in 1949. He taught history and political science at Bethel College from 1949 to 1959. From 1964 to 1974 he was Vice President for Academic Affairs at Friend University. Between his work at Bethel and Friends, he taught at Bethany College, Tabor College, and Central State University in Edmund, Oklahoma. While at Bethel Stucky also coached debate and forensics, and he authored numerous books and articles in addition to being a frequent speaker at conferences. Stucky’s interests outside academia were extensive. He served as president of the Kansas Authors Club, American Historical Association of Germans from Russia, and the Swiss Mennonite Historical Association. He was actively involved with Western District and General Conference committees and youth leadership in the 1940s and 1950s. He played a primary role in organizing and promoting the numerous wheat and Mennonite centennial activities in 1974. Stucky was ordained and pastored the McKinley Park Methodist Church in Chicago while completing his graduate education. He purchased and worked to restore and protect the Bernard Warkentin homestead in Halstead. Stucky married Ruby L. Voth on March 14, 1945, and they had four children, Steven, Franklin, Nathan, and Rita. He died Nov. 11, 2005, at his home in North Newton, Kansas.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
donation; don't know when box 1 was acquired
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection documents Harley J. Stucky’s academic career and involvement in numerous historical, community, and church activities. Extensive correspondence is available from throughout his life and provides unique insights into a number of programs, ranging from the early development of Camp Mennoscah and other youth programs (including the North Newton 4H club as well as Western District and General Conference institutions) to the various historical organizations and celebrations for which he played major leadership roles. His insider role occasionally highlighted issues and disagreements within the numerous organizations. Stucky read quite widely and collected many pamphlets and clippings on topics related to his teaching and interests, especially those regarding international relations and nonresistance. Most significant perhaps are the materials on conscientious objection, disarmament ,and universal military service. One unique aspect of the collection is that Stucky retained copies of most, or perhaps all, of the term papers of his students, and the set from Bethel College is especially extensive. This collection provides the most extensive documentation of the Mennonite and wheat centennial celebrations in 1974, and especially of the controversies surrounding the relationship of the Wheat Committee and the Kansas Wheat Commission regarding the Kansas Wheat Center after the centennial.
see also elecrec/acc254 for phonograph record labels
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
boxes 2-110 donated by Frank Stucky (son), July 2010
boxes 111-120 donated by Frank Studky, 20 Dec 2010
System of arrangement
The collection is divided into eight categories of materials: 1) family and education papers, including genealogical materials, coursework, papers while serving as a minister, correspondence, and financial documents; 2) academic papers; 3) church and religious materials; 4) historical organizations and activities; 5) printed materials; 6) photographs; 7) tapes and videos; and 8) oversized.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
open for research use
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
- German
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (Lincoln, Neb.) (Subject)
- Bethany College (Lindsborg, Kansas) (Subject)
- Friends University (Wichita, Kan.) (Subject)
- Hopefield Mennonite Church (Moundridge, Kansas) (Subject)
- Kansas Authors Club (Subject)
- Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association (Moundridge, Kansas) (Subject)
- Warkentin, Bernhard, 1847-1908 (Subject)
- Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas) (Subject)